Floribunda rose plant named ‘JACzotta’

ABSTRACT

Floribunda rose plant having a high centered bud and open flower form; vigorous, upright, well-branched plant; glossy, dark green foliage; and novel, pink and yellow flower.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the floribunda class which was originated by me by crossing thevariety ‘JACient’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,725), with an unnamedfloribunda seedling (not patented).

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyhaving the high centered bud and half open flower form; the vigorous,well-branched plant; and the glossy, dark green foliage of the femaleparent; combined with the novel, pink and yellow flower color of themale parent. The objective was substantially achieved, along with otherdesirable improvements, as evidenced by the following unique combinationof characteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

1. Vigorous, upright, well-branched growth;

2. Dark green, glossy, disease resistant foliage;

3. Bright pink with light yellow reverse flowers; and

4. High centered buds and open flowers.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding, as performed atWasco, Calif., shows that the foregoing and all other characteristicsand distinctions come true to form and are established and transmittedthrough succeeding propagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) colour chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.—‘JACient’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,725).

Pollen parent.—Unnamed floribunda seedling (not patented).

Classification:

Botanical.—Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.—Floribunda.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown in a garden environment at Somis,Calif. from March 1998 to August 1999.

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Bud:

Size.—1½ inches long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.—The bud form is long; pointed ovoid.

Color.—When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 46B whereexposed to bright sunlight; otherwise, Red Group 46D. When half blown,the upper sides of the petals are Red Group 54A, except for near thepetal base, where it is Yellow Group 7C; and the lower sides of thepetals are Yellow Group 7D at the petal base, then becoming White Group155B with a pink blush of Red Group 55D at the petal edge.

Sepals.—Color: Green Group 138B, becoming Greyed-Purple Group 183A whenexposed to bright sun. Surface texture: Covered in fine hairs. There arethree normally appendaged sepals. There are two unappendaged sepals withhairy edges.

Receptacle.—Color: Green Group 137A except when exposed to bright sun,then it is Greyed-Purple Group 183A. Shape: Funnel. Size: Medium (about⅜ inch×¼″). Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.—Length: Short (about 2 to 2½ inches). Surface: Smooth. Color:Yellow-Green Group 147B; except when exposed to bright sunlight, then itis Greyed-Purple Group 183A. Strength: Stiff; erect.

Bloom:

Size.—Large. Average open size is 4 to 4½ inches.

Borne.—Singly and several together in flat clusters of three to fiveblooms.

Stems.—Strength: Strong. Average length is about 14 to 18 inches.

Form.—When first open, bloom is high centered. Permanence: Retains itsform to the end; outer petals curl back.

Petalage.—Number of petals under normal conditions: 30.

Color.—The upper sides of the petals are Red Group 54A, except near thepetal base where it is Yellow Group 7C. The reverse sides of the petalsare Yellow Group 7D at the petal base, becoming White Group 155B with apink blush of Red Group 55D at the petal edge. The base of each petalhas a Yellow Group 12A, ⅜ inch×⅜ inch half moon at the point ofattachment on both petal surfaces. The major color on the upper side isRed Group 54A.

Variegations.—On some petals there is a small, cream colored streakalong the mid-rib (Yellow-White Group 158D).

Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first day: Nochange. At the end of the third day: No change. There is a generalfading from Red Group 54A to Red Group 54C from day five to day sevenwhen petal drop occurs.

Fragrance.—Slight.

Petals:

Texture.—Thick.

Shape.—Round.

Form.—Tips slightly recurved.

Arrangement.—Imbricated. There are no petaloids in the center.

Persistence.—Petals drop off cleanly before drying.

Lastingness.—On the plant: Fair (about six days). As a cut flower: Fair(about seven days).

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.—Size: Medium. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow-Orange Group 20C.Arrangement: Regular around styles.

Filaments.—Color: Yellow-Orange Group 20B.

Pollen.—Present.

Styles.—Color: Red Group 49D.

Stigmas.—Color: Yellow-White Group 158A.

Plant:

Form.—Bush.

Growth.—Vigorous; upright; branching. At maturity, height is 40 to 44inches, width is 32 to 36 inches.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: Five or seven.

Size.—Medium (5 inches long×3½ inches wide).

Quantity.—Abundant.

Color.—New foliage: Upper and lower surfaces: Greyed-Purple Group 183A.Old foliage: Upper surface: Green Group 136A. Lower surface: Green Group136C.

Leaflets:

Shape.—Pointed oval.

Texture.—Leathery; glossy.

Edge.—Serrated.

Serration.—Single; small.

Petiole rachis.—Color: Green Group 136A (upper); Yellow-Green Group 147B(lower).

Petiole underside.—Smooth, with occasional prickles.

Stipules.—Long (about ¾ to 1 inch); serrated; bearded.

Disease resistance.—Resistant to mildew and rust, susceptible toblackspot under normal growing conditions.

New wood.—Color: Greyed-Purple Group 187A. Bark: Smooth

Old wood.—Color: Green Group 137B. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.—On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from maincanes: Ordinary.

Form.—Medium; hooked downward.

Color when young.—Greyed-Purple Group 187A.

Color when mature.—Greyed-Orange Group 173D.

Small prickles:

Quantity.—On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the floribundaclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly by its high centered bud and open flower form; vigorous,upright, well-branched plant; glossy, dark green foliage; and novel,pink and yellow flower.